Aunty’s version before the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
If you one local like Aunty, you say “Capreez”. However, the proper way to say it is like one Italian, “Ca prez eh”, with the emphasis on the 2nd syllable and a rolling “r”.
On Saturday’s class at the Hawaii Potters Guild, pal Becca (from the East Coast) corrected Aunty’s pronunciation and Aunty told her that we say “capreez”. She couldn’t believe that, so Aunty asked a group that was gathered nearby if they knew what a “ca prez eh salad” was. One girl nodded gleefully and said she loved it. Others looked at me like, “huh?” until I said “capreez salad” and smiles broke out because now they understood. That was pretty funny.
Anywho, Aunty now makes ca prez eh salads because of how darn easy it is, and how delicious it is! It also helps that Aunty has basil growing like crazy in the garden.
How easy? Like 1, 2, 3 after cutting slices of tomato, slices of mozzarella logs or balls and trimming basil leaves.
After the ingredients are cut in their respective piles:
- lay down a slice of tomato
- put a slice of mozzarella cheese on it
- put a basil leaf on the cheese.
- Repeat 1-3 until done.
Then, sprinkle a little bit of Hawaiian salt and pepper (optional) and drizzle good quality olive oil on the salad. Many people also like balsamic vinaigrette drizzled. That’s it!
It looks pretty, is probably healthy, and when you pronounce it properly, you can kiss your fingertips and sound like an Italian chef.
Buon Appetito!
Looks like a great way to use some of the basil leaves that is overrunning our tiny garden. I have been using them in the instant pho bowls they sell at Costco but I can’t keep up with the plants. This recipe will help. That and eating pho more often.
Looks good!!
Looks good and so easy to prepare. Good to know the correct pronunciation, too.